Indigo Bunting

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Audio

The male indigo bunting is commonly seen as a breeding species and at migration hot spots. In the spring, the Indigo may be present in large flocks, particularly during migratory fallouts, and is often seen in brushy habitat or along weedy margins of fields and roads, where it sits up and twitches its tail. It sometimes hybridizes with the lazuli bunting. Monotypic. Length 5.5" (14 cm).

Similar Species Males smaller than the male blue grosbeak, but lack chestnut wing bars, black on face, and dark streaks on back; also has smaller bill. Females similar to other female passerina buntings.

Voice Call: a dry, metallic pik. Song: a series of sweet, varied phrases, usually paired.

Status and Distribution Common. Breeding: found in brushy borders to mainly deciduous woodland throughout eastern United States. In the Southwest, mainly found in riparian habitats. Winter: mainly Mexico through Central America, rarely to northern South America. Also on Caribbean islands. Rare along Gulf Coast and southern Florida. Migration: mainly nocturnal. Arrives on breeding grounds mid-April–early June. In fall, mainly mid-September–mid-October. Vagrant: rare to Pacific states and Atlantic provinces.

Population Western birds may be limited by decrease in riparian habitats.